News

Edo Trains Another Batch Of Over 1,500 Vigilantes, Hunters To Curb Crime, Criminality

Published

2 years ago

October 29, 2023

…over 3,574 operatives trained in first three phases of training programme

The Edo State Government has commenced a 10-day intensive training for over 1,500 operatives of the Edo State Security Vigilante Network (ESSVN) as part of efforts to beef up the State’s security architecture and bolster efforts at combating crime in the State.

The training is the third batch of over 1,500 men and women cut across the three senatorial districts of the State to be trained on weapons handling and intelligence gathering, among others.

Speaking to journalists at the Police Training School in Ogida Barracks, the Coordinator of ESSVN, Col. Kole Omomia (rtd) said over 3,574 operatives of the security network have so far been trained in the first three phases of the training programme.

According to him, 574 ESSVN and hunters were trained during the first batch from Edo North and 1,500 persons were trained from two senatorial districts, Edo South and Central during the second batch.

Noting that another batch of 1500 operatives is being trained in the third phase of the training programme, Omomia said, “It’s a 10 days intensive training. We are making sure that our operatives are well-trained and equipped to improve our security architecture in the State.

“The training is as directed by the Governor of Edo State to ensure a peaceful and secure State. A lot of activities will take place as profiling will be carried out on all trainees. We will adequately document them to ensure they are from Edo State and they will go through medical tests to ensure that they are fit for the training.”

He further noted, “The level of synergy between our sister agencies has been very cordial. We have good working relationships with the Army, Air Force, Police, Immigration, DSS, NDLEA and others. We had no issue with any of them as we work in peace and collaborate to ensure that the State is safe for all.

“We are working with other security agencies to boost the morale of our men as we have our core values in ESSVN which is discipline, loyalty, integrity and selfless service. This is a community-based security architecture. They have been selected from their various local governments and the various Chairmen have input before the list was sent to us.

“All the trainees will go through medical fitness and anyone that fails to pass the medicals will be edged out as there is no age limit. Our men must be fit and able to help collaborate with other sister security agencies to reduce crime to the barest minimum, ensuring that the State is safe for all.”

The coordinator added, “We have the intelligent unit of ESSVN that ensures information and intelligence gathering to boost the performance of our men. We arrest, profile, and feed on information from the profiling to write our report before handing over criminals to the police.

“We will continue to train them as there are more batches of training programmes to come. The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has done well in terms of security and this has made the State a destination for investors.”

News

Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

Published

3 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

News

Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Published

13 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed.

“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.

News

Lawyers Fault EFCC Statement, Say It’s Misleading

Published

14 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

Some legal practitioners in Bauchi state have faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) official statement about their client on Wednesday, adding that it was erroneous, false and misleading.

It could be recalled that EFCC posted on its official Facebook handle that a Bauchi State High Court has cleared the commission to proceed with its investigation of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State, Hamza Koshe, and his company, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd.

According to the EFCC statement, the commission said Justice Aliyu Baba, in a judgment delivered on July 30, 2025, dismissed an application by Koshe seeking to restrain the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission from probing him.

However, in a statement jointly signed and made available to newsmen in Bauchi on Thursday by Jibrin S. Jibrin Esq, M.M. Usman Esq, H.B. Pali Esq, Abbas Ibrahim Esq, I.G. Agwam Esq and Salome Audu Esq all counsel to Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Anor as well as Koshe insisted that the statement was misleading.

According to them, the EFCC owed the public the duty of relating only the truth of what the courts decided as regards the contract financing agreement in the issues their clients were parties.

“Our attention as the legal representatives of Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Alhaji Hamza Koshe in respect of suit No. BA/271/2024 has been drawn to the statement posted on the official page of the EFCC on Wednesday, where the Commission supposedly rendered an analysis of the judgement delivered by the High Court of Justice No. 4 Bauchi Presided by Justice Aliyu Usman on the 30th July 2025.

“Now against the background of the erroneous, false and misleading publication by the EFCC on the matter, we deem it necessary to set the records straight by stating what actually is the truth of the matter in terms of the enrolled judgment Order of the Court to which this press release is attached.

“It is proper to state as a fact that in an earlier judgement relating to the subject of this release, the verdict of the High Court of Justice No. 10 Bauchi presided by Justice M. M. Abubakar delivered on the 19th December, 2024 is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject matter of the suit having been found to be valid and not contravening any law remains enforceable hence, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd is accorded the applicable injunctive reliefs as regards the activities of the Commission.

“We state as a fact that the main question of law determined in Justice Aliyu Baba Usman’s judgment is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject of the suit is valid.

“The EFCC failed to state in its statement in reference the fact that many parties and contractors concerned or involved in the Contract Financing Agreement in the issue have been invited by the Commission with virtually all of them responding, honoring its invitation on the matter and thereby discharging their legal obligation speak volumes of ‘the bidding of some’ which the publication seeks to achieve ab initio,” said the lawyers.

The counsel added that the mischief and deliberate misrepresentation in EFCC’s statement could be seen when not only did it make no mention of this fact but also created the impression that their clients went to Court to evade investigation on the matter.

They said that Koshe was a guest of the Commission having honored its invitation in September 2024 which he was released on administrative bail, the terms and conditions applicable to which he has been observing.

“It is also important to clarify as a fact that there is no truth at all in the Commission’s statement to the effect that our client sought a perpetual injunction of general nature against the Commission’s activities.

“The truth about the reliefs sought by our clients is as contained in the Court’s processes filed in the suit in reference.

“We challenge the Commission to provide evidence of where our client ever sought a perpetual injunction at large or of general nature against it or any other body duly established by law.

“We urge members of the public to disregard in its entirety EFCC’s statement on the subject and be guided in its stead by the facts as contained in the relevant court processes to which this release is attached,” he said.